Recommended consumer DSLR cameras

The range of consumer DSLR cameras on the market has increased rapidly over the last years. Below you will find a few of my recommended consumer DSLR cameras. All these cameras are very good entry level DSLR cameras. What you choose is of course dependent on your needs and budget.

UPDATE - June 2009: Nikon D5000

The new D5000 range between Nikon’s D60 and the D90. The sensor is 12.9 megapixels. As with the D90 the new camera can record video at 720p. I have missed the possibility of tilting the LCD since I left my old Nikon Coolpix 950 behind. D5000 have a tilting LCD unfortunately only at 2.7 ". Even with the smaller LCD compared to D90, the tilting screen is a nice feature in many situations. Unfortunately D5000 does not have a built in focus motor so you will need to buy image stabilized lenses if this is important for you.

For more details read here

Nikon D60

The 10.2 megapixel Nikon D60 is an improved version of Nikon's D40x camera. The body is the same, as well as the viewfinder, battery, and 230,000 dot, 2.5 inch LCD.
A sensor system automatically rotates the LCD's status display when the camera is turned and switches it off when the camera is brought up to the eye. The D60 also has a new improved system for keeping dust off the sensor. Among the functions of the D60 is a 3fps drive mode, eight Program scene modes and three-area autofocus. Nikon D60 also have the Active D-lighting feature, which opens up dark shadows while preserving highlight detail as a shot is taken. The kit with the image stabilized (Vibration Reduction) lens is a very good offer.

A well made camera but note - D60 lacks built in AF motor. If you have older lenses or you buy a lens without built in focus motor, you will have to focus manually with the D60

Price level: D60 kit with 18-55mm VR lens $ 650

Canon EOS Rebel XSi

The 12.2 megapixel EOS Rebel XSi (450D in Europe) features a 230,000 pixel, 3-inch LCD with live-view.
Rebel XSi has a nine-point autofocus system and a 14-bit analog-to-digital conversion. The sensor has a built-in self-cleaning system. The Rebel XSi saves image files on SD and SDHC memory cards. XSi provides four metering modes. The camera has some of the functions from Canon's pro SLRs, including a Highlight Tone Priority custom function that retains bright highlight detail in high-contrast shots. It is a speedy camera which can capture 3.5 frames per second for bursts of up to 45 images in large/fine JPEG mode and 6 frames in RAW mode.

450D have a lot of advanced feature and a large 3 inch LCD, but the price is on the high side

Price level: 450D kit with 18-55mm IS lens $ 720

Sony A200

The 10.2 megapixel Sony Alpha A200 has a 230,000 pixel 2.7-inch LCD.
Not common on consumer DSLR, the A200 have optical image stabilization built into the body. Also a dust removal system is built in. A200 can use Sony, Minolta Maxxum, and Zeiss mounts as well as third party lenses. The camera can shoot in RAW mode at 3 fps up to 6 frames and RAW+JPEG at 3 fps up to 3 frames. A200`s battery is very good and one of the best battery capacities in any DSLR.

A200 have image stabilization built into the body so you don’t need to depend on the lenses. A200 is a very affordable beginners DSLR

Price level: A200 kit with Sony 18-70mm lens $ 500

For further reading and camera reviews have a look at the excellent LetsGoDigital web pages.



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